Pauline Kunkel

Pauline Jane Fagnant, Hobson, Kunkel, 1929-2022

Was Born February 25,1929, the daughter to Alfred P. and Daisy M. (Bell) Fagnant, in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Pauline passed away peacefully on May 31, 2022, in Pocatello, ID. She was the 4th of five children. The family lived in Lava Hot Springs for several years, where Pauline attended and graduated Lava High school. She loved school, as she was involved in many activities, including cheerleading, tumbling, Basketball, played flute in the band and was Editor of the school paper and co-Editor of Yearbook.  Pauline was very active in the Lava community, where she worked several jobs, including as a Pin Setter at the bowling alley and at the Theatre. Pauline loved to sew with her mother, Scrap Booking with friends and being a part of the Elections. She was a member of the “Flower & Garden club”, the Textile Painting club and the President of the American Legion Auxiliary.  Pauline became very active with the LDS church in Lava and later in Pocatello, ID, serving in many capacities, including President of Relief Society twice, the first counselor in the MIA, Sunday school Stake board and Single adults, Stake board and served many Auxiliary Missions.

In July 1949, she married the love of her life, Wid J. Hobson, who worked for the Railroad, they had 1 son, Bruce Wid Hobson, in the fall of 1950. Wid was offered a job with Phil Meador, so they moved to Pocatello, ID. Sadley, Wid passed away in a boating accident, in May of 1951, in American Falls, ID. After that Pauline moved back to Lava Hot Springs to live with her parents and raise her son. She spent the next handful of years raising Wid and working at Manning Wheatley Funeral home, caring for those who were left behind after their loved ones passing. She always had a knack for making everyone feel loved and to fill the void where others could not.

In 1976 she married John R. Kunkel, and spent 18 years wonderful years, enjoying their family, traveling and attending the Nutcracker Ballet every December. John passed away April 28, 1994 leaving her devastated. Fortunately, only a few months later, Pauline was blessed with her first Great Grandchild, and he consumed her whole world. It wasn’t long before additional Great Grandchildren arrived in this world, and Pauline decided to make a change. After more than 40 years at Manning Wheatley she would retire and spend her days with the great grandchildren and working on various Lava Hot Springs projects including the WWII memorial and countless high school reunions. She was also able to do some more traveling and would always talk about how lucky she was to be able to have visited most of the 50 states as well as 6 countries including Canada, Spain, Moraco, France, Italy, and Monaco.

Pauline went through the “depression”, World War II, the assignation of J.F.K, the death of Princess Diana and the COVID pandemic, where eventually it took a toll on her Health, Mentally and Physically.

She is proceeded in death, by her Parents, Alfred and Daisy Fagnant, her sisters, Della, Cecilia (Cil), Fern, and her “Easter Bunny present”, brother Alfred “Don” Fagnant, Husbands Wid J. Hobson and John R. Kunkel. She is survived by her son, Bruce Wid (Trena) Hobson, her grandsons, Rick (Roni) Hobson, Sean (Keri)Hobson, her Great Grandsons, Kody (Sam) Hobson, and Brenden Hobson, and her Great Granddaughters, Ivy (Mike) Brubaker, Bree (Trey) Hobson and numerous nieces, nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Elegant Assisted Living and Enhabit (Encompass) Home Health and Hospice, for the amazing care and compassion they showed for Pauline during her time with them.

CHANGE OF SERVICE LOCATION

Services will be held, Friday June 2nd, 2022 at the West Stake Center (Hawthorne and Eldredge)..  Viewing will be at 10:00 am, Services will start at 11:00 am, followed by a Graveside service at the Lava Hot Springs Cemetery at 1:00 pm.